Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Does Open Source Software Really Work?

Posted by Hemos on from the gotta-make-it-work dept.

reflexreaction writes "This article on NewsFactor does a decent job of covering some of the issues facing Open Source Software (OSS). It points to Linux's growth area, non-mission critical projects in mid-sized companies, and its main weakness, the desktop. It also briefly discusses Linux's potential growth into mission critical applications if scalability issues are addressed. Quick easy read. My favorite quote from the article "Linux on the desktop is toast.""

5 of 469 comments (clear)

  1. oss vs non-oss by sirius_bbr · · Score: 1, Troll

    The main problem of OSS like linux for companies, I think, is that either it isn't up to date or it's not stable (enough). The latest stable linux release (potato) is really old compared to, say, win XP (i'm not saying this one is stable, but at least a lot of people THINK it is). If you want to make linux make better use of your cutting-edge-of-technology-hardware, you'll have to use the unstable release (or at the very least the testing release). I can imagine a company doesn't like to use software that is labeled 'unstable'.
    In the end I think it's a matter of who do you trust more, some people who programmed an OS in their spare time, or Bill Gates. Hard decision when lot's of money relay on that software...

    --
    this sig has intentionally been left blank
  2. to all you geeks by Interfacer · · Score: 0, Troll

    Hi there, only a few % of the computer using population are linux geeks who just like to use complex systems for showing of, and for looking down a users. i am an experienced programmer, but is still want to be able to instal an os by insterting the cd and clicking a few times. i don't want a 20 yr old text interface with lots and lots of options that are of no direct relevance. i don't want to use command line strings to configure every card in my pc, i want my os to automatically detect everything that is in the case. wtf should we need the command line anymore? also if you put the basic gaphics thing in the kernel, everything would look the same, and you would not have this Xwindows Gnome KDE crap. if linux would have a user friendly install interface and proper GUI i would use it.

  3. Re:They are so wrong by JimPooley · · Score: 1, Troll

    Linux is programmed by the customers/users themselves.

    No. Linux is programmed by geeks, for geeks. The average customer/user has neither the time nor the inclination to program it themselves.

    --

    "Information wants to be paid"
  4. Re:Toast? by JimPooley · · Score: 1, Troll
    And you don't address the idea of folks who don't *know* stuff becoming less ignorant - because the real crime here is cluelessness and not *wanting* to learn to use what's in front of you. I say let M$loth keep those cretins to themselves; these are not the droids I'm looking for.
    And here is a stunning example of why Linux is doomed to the never-never land of the Geek Ghetto, where it will live happy ever after with the people who still think the Amiga rules.
    --

    "Information wants to be paid"
  5. Re:Does Closed Source Work? by JimPooley · · Score: 1, Troll

    ...bloated system requirements...

    *Cough* KDE or Gnome + Star/Open Office *Cough*
    A combination which will bring a machine to its knees with constant swapfiling and slow sssllllooowwwww running.

    The same machine will quite happily and quickly run Windows and Microsoft Office without any difficulty or memory issues whatsoever.

    Pot. Kettle.

    --

    "Information wants to be paid"